Since then, though, three other categories have been added, including, incredibly, a solo class in which British ultra-runner James Poole has competed in the last two years. Competing in that format is now known as the original (OG) way to race. How do they get there? Well, that's a long story, shrouded in secrecy.Īrend first ran the route in 2013 as a relay with five friends - three other men and two women. Before he found marathon running after moving to Los Angeles in the mid-2000s, Arend organised a rave night in a borrowed brothel in Hamburg's red-light district.ĭespite the race's underground status, the start line is filled with some of the world's fastest athletes, and the biggest brands. It's a 'Fight Club' of the running world created in the mould of its founder.

It has no website, no 'register here' button, no rules, no official route, no spectators and, until a week before, no official start date.

And when they ask what you're doing just say, 'Oh, we're just a bunch of friends running to Vegas'.Īrend is sitting in a north London bar explaining the ground rules of one of the world's most sought-after ultra-running races.īeing friendly, but discreet, in the face of the law is part of the pre-race briefing he gives at The Speed Project (TSP), an unsanctioned, unsupported 350-mile race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas via Death Valley.

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